88 new affordable homes set for Merseyside's 'property hotspot'

88 new affordable homes set for Merseyside's 'property hotspot'
-Credit: (Image: Knowsley Council)


Nearly 90 new affordable homes are set to be developed in one of Merseyside's property 'hotspots'. Knowsley Council is set to approve a planning application for an '100% affordable homes' housing development in Prescot, with hopes that the scheme will help to 're-balance' the area's housing market.

The development land is situated on Carr Lane in Prescot and to the west of the site is the M57. The area was formerly used as a treatment works operated by United Utilities, but has naturally regenerated over time and largely consists of trees and scrub/vegetation.

Recent analysis by The Housing Strategy Department in Knowsley Council there is a high-level need on the council’s housing register for 1-bedroom properties for affordable and social rent. When the planning application was originally submitted, it was for 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes but during the consideration of the planning application, the proposal was amended to meet the specific needs of the borough.

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The proposal has been brought forward by United Living who plan to build 4 x 1 bedroom apartments, 14 x 2 bedroom two storey dwellings, 67 x 3 bedroom dwellings and 3 x 4 bedroom dwellings. All buildings would be two storeys in
height and the tenures would include 17 units for social rent and the remaining 71 units being affordable rent.

All plans and considerations are set to be discussed at Knowsley Council's planning committee meeting tonight in Huyton Municipal Buildings with councillors encouraged to back the scheme and deliver more housing options to the people of Knowsley. It is the latest development planned for Prescot and just three years after construction started at the former Prysmian Cable Factory at Prescot Park. At the time, the local authority said the rapid sale of the properties indicated that Prescot was now a 'property hotspot'.

Some concerns have been raised about the lack of affordable homes in the borough and hence, the local authority are particularly keen that the United Living development is approved as it is a 100% affordable and social rent housing project. The council report to be heard at tonight meeting noted: "The construction of 88 new homes would contribute towards the Local Plan Core Strategy’s target of delivering 8,100 homes in Knowsley between 2010 and 2028".